Rivian ute and SUV seen in NZ

A Rivian R1T ute, R1S SUV and a Rivian van have been spotted at Auckland Airport, probably heading to the Southern Hemisphere proving grounds in Cardrona.

Images of the Rivians here have been posted on the NZ EV Owners Facebook page by Tony Scott and back up what ChargeNet NZ chief executive Steve West told the eworld conference in West Auckland in May about being approached by Rivian, although he wouldn’t elaborate further.

Rivian expects to start deliveries in July this year after initially indicating June 2021, and is likely to later bring the R1T and R1S to New Zealand and Australia.

The Facebook post has produced plenty of comment, including that winter testing has to be done quickly by Rivian to qualify for US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification.

ChargeNet provides bespoke charging solutions to manufactures doing testing in New Zealand but it can’t comment on any particular project.